It’s gonna be weird having these after a burger. Photo by Louis Keene
By Louis Keene
March 26, 2026
As antisemitism rises and tensions in the Middle East escalate, Passover approaches with soaring gas prices. However, amidst these challenges, there’s a glimmer of good news for the Jewish community: Reese’s Pieces now hold a kosher pareve certification.
On March 12, OU Kosher, the leading kosher certifier in the United States, announced that the beloved candy is no longer considered dairy, despite its packaging suggesting otherwise.
This significant update means kosher consumers can now enjoy Reese’s Pieces immediately after consuming meat—or even with it—eliminating the customary waiting period for dairy products among Orthodox Jews.
The change originated over the past year when the Hershey Company, which owns Reese’s, notified OU Kosher about an adjustment in the candy’s ingredients.
“Reese’s recognized that many consumers preferred a non-dairy option,” explained Rabbi Moshe Elefant, OU Kosher’s chief operating officer. “Once they committed to removing dairy, the likelihood of them achieving OU-Pareve certification became evident.”
While Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and other Reese’s varieties remain classified as dairy, Elefant mentioned that the packaging for Reese’s Pieces, currently displaying OU-D certification, will be updated later in 2026. For consumers with older packaging, the OU advises checking the ingredient list or allergen statement to ensure it does not include milk.
This adjustment comes as a part of broader changes at the Hershey headquarters in Pennsylvania. Some Reese’s products, such as the Mini Hearts and Peanut Butter Eggs, are no longer made with milk chocolate due to fluctuating cocoa prices, sparking controversy and dissent from the Reese’s family. (These particular candies still maintain their dairy certification because they contain milk ingredients, according to the OU.)
Significantly, Reese’s Pieces have never included chocolate in their ingredients.
In recent weeks, the OU Kosher hotline has received numerous inquiries from home cooks about the certification change—some seeking confirmation, while others expressed their gratitude. Elefant noted that the last comparable excitement occurred when Oreos became kosher (which previously contained animal fat until the late 1990s).
The Forward sought comments from the Hershey Company regarding this development.
Elefant shared that there was internal discussion at OU Kosher regarding the early announcement of the candy’s pareve status before the packaging updates were completed. The organization effectively advised consumers to temporarily disregard the “D” labeling on the packaging.
Some team members were concerned that this decision might confuse consumers, potentially undermining OU’s credibility. Ultimately, the pressing needs of the Jewish community dictated their choice.
“In this situation, we had to prioritize the welfare of the Jewish people,” Elefant expressed. “And their welfare dictated that Reese’s needs to be pareve.”
Kosher consumers typically wait between three to six hours after meat meals before consuming dairy; now they can enjoy a burger on the way to the movies and indulge in handfuls of their favorite peanut butter candy in the theater. Maybe while watching E.T.: The Extraterrestrial. (This is not to say it’s the healthiest choice—just that it’s kosher.)
This change will likely be welcomed during Shabbat meals, where meat-focused menus often challenge dessert options. Even though Reese’s Pieces have always been kosher, their new pareve status enables observant Jews who adhere to cholov yisroel restrictions—which require milk sourced from Jewish individuals—to enjoy them as well.
Only time will reveal if the update revolutionizes kosher baking or if Reese’s Pieces become a go-to pareve chocolate chip, but it certainly offers an exciting, readily available addition to any dessert, which has delighted OU Kosher’s Instagram followers.
“YESSSSS! This is a win for the non-dairy queens like me!!!” commented one user.
Another user added, using a name for God in Judaism: “This is how I know Hashem loves me.”
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